Prince Recognized Drug Addiction | TMZ Live

HARVEY: SO THERE HAS BEEN A BIG DEVELOPMENT IN THE PRINCE STORY. AND IT’S SOMETHING THAT COMPLETELY DOVETAILS WITH THE STORY WE HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU LITERALLY FROM THE DAY AFTER HE DIED, THAT PRINCE HAD A HUGE DRUG ADDICTION TO OPIATES. AND IT’S WHAT ALMOST KILLED HIM SIX DAYS BEFORE HE ACTUALLY DID DIE. THIS IS A BIG PLOT TWIST, BUT A LAWYER HAS COME FORWARD NOW WHO REPRESENTS A DOCTOR AND A SON OF A DOCTOR WHO RUN A REHAB CLINIC IN MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. AND THAT DOCTOR GOT A PHONE CALL THE DAY BEFORE PRINCE DIED FROM REPS OF PRINCE SAYING PRINCE IS ABOUT TO DIE FROM OPIATES. AND WE NEED YOUR HELP DESPERATELY, DESPERATELY. CHARLES: THEY SAID THERE IS A GRAVE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. NOW, THE DOCTOR, HIS NAME IS DR. HOWARD KORNFELD. HE COULD NOT MAKE IT BECAUSE OF HIS SCHEDULE. INSTEAD, HE SENT HIS SON ANDREW KORNFELD. SEE HIS SON — HARVEY: WHO IS NOT A DOCTOR. CHARLES: HE WAS AT PAISLEY PARK. HE IS THE VOICE ON THE 911 CALL WHO CALLED POLICE TO SAY THAT PRINCE WAS FOUND IN THIS ELEVATOR. HARVEY: HERE IS THE PLOT TWIST. TODAY, A LAWYER CAME FORWARD WHO REPRESENTS BOTH DR. KORNFELD AND HIS SON ANDREW. THE LAWYER IS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER. SO NOW YOU GOT TO WONDER, WHY ARE THESE GUYS LAWYERING UP WITH A CRIMINAL DEFENSE GUY AND THIS IS THE ANSWER THE LAWYER GAVE THIS MORNING.>>IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE GOOD SAMARITAN 911 LAW PROVIDING IMMUNITY FOR PEOPLE WHO MAKE A 911 EMERGENCY CALL ARE TO RECEIVE IMMUNITY FOR ANY MEDICATIONS, ANY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES FOUND ON THE SCENE, WILL PROVIDE STATUTORY IMMUNITY TO ANDREW RELATING TO THE MEDICATIONS THAT WERE FOUND IN HIS BACKPACK ON THE SCENE. NO DRUGS WERE EVER ADMINISTERED. THERE WAS NEVER ANY INTENTION OF DRUGS BEING ADMINISTERED TO PRINCE BY ANDREW OR HOWARD KORNFELD. HARVEY: THIS IS EASY TO FIGURE OUT. ANDREW HAD A BUNCH OF SYNTHETIC OPIATES IN THE BACKPACK. AND THEY FOUND HIM BECAUSE HE CALLED 911 SO THEREFORE HE BECAME A WITNESS AND THEREFORE HE HAD TO STAY. THE POLICE CAME, LOOKED IN THE BACKPACK, SAW THE PILLS. HE IS NOT A DOCTOR CARRYING PILLS PRESUMABLY THAT WERE DESTINED FOR PRINCE. WHAT THE LAWYER IS SAYING, THE ONLY REASON THE POLICE WOULD KNOW ABOUT THOSE OPIATES IN HIS BACKPACK IS BECAUSE HE MADE A 911 CALL. THERE IS MUNITY WHEN YOU CALL 911 THAT YOU CAN’T BE PROSECUTED. THE LAWYER IS SAYING BECAUSE HE CALLED 911, ANYTHING THEY FOUND AS A RESULT OF HIM DOING THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE PROCESS OF PROSECUTION EVEN THOUGH HE WAS CARRYING PILLS IN HIS BACKPACK. CHARLES: WHAT WAS ODD — HARVEY: WHAT THEY’RE WORRIED ABOUT, THE UNAUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF MEDICINE IF THIS GUY WAS GOING TO GIVE OPIATES TO PRINCE. CHARLES: THE THING THAT WAS WEIRD, HE SAID THAT ANDREW WAS NOT INTENDING TO GIVE THEM. HE ALSO SAID THAT DR. KORNFELD WAS NOT GOING TO ADMINISTER ANY DRUGS.>>WHAT THERE WAS, THERE WAS A DOCTOR THAT KORNFELD HAD CONTACTED TO MEET ANDREW THAT NEXT MORNING. HE SAID THE PLAN WAS TO GIVE THE PILLS TO THAT DOCTOR WHO WOULD DECIDE IF PRINCE NEEDED THEM OR NOT. HARVEY: HERE IS MY QUESTION OR NOT. MINNESOTA IS NOT A BACKWOODS STATE. IT’S NEAR MINNEAPOLIS, IT’S A METROPOLITAN AREA. ARE THOSE PILLS NOT AVAILABLE IN MINNEAPOLIS? WHY ARE THEY SHIPPED OVER FROM CALIFORNIA, THIS IS MAKING NO SENSE TO ME. I GOT TO SAY IT’S MAKING NO SENSE THAT THIS GUY IS CARRYING A BACKPACK FULL OF DRUGS, BUT THEN HE SAYS, I WASN’T GOING TO GIVE IT TO HIM. I WAS GIVING IT TO ANOTHER DOCTOR WHO WAS GOING TO GIVE IT TO HIM. WHY WOULD YOU, A — CHARLES: WHY WAS HE AT PAISLEY PARK? WHY DIDN’T HE JUST GO TO THE DOCTOR? WHY DID HE GO TO PAISLEY PARK? HARVEY: I’M TELLING YOU. THIS — CHARLES: WHY DID ANDREW GO TO PAISLEY PARK INSTEAD OF MEETING THE DOCTOR? HARVEY: THE POLICE ARE LOOKING AT THE BACKPACK SAYING WHAT THE HELL DID HE DO WITH THESE DRUGS. WHAT THE LAWYER IS SAYING, NOBODY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THESE DRUGS BECAUSE I CALLED 911. BECAUSE I CALLED 911, I AM PROTECTED BY IMMUNITY FOR ANYTHING YOU FIND AS A RESULT OF THIS. AND THEREFORE THE PILLS IN MY BACKPACK SHOULD NOT BE FAIR GAME. I THINK THAT IS WHAT IS GOING ON. THIS IS SORT OF PAINTING A PICTURE NOW OF THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM WITH PRINCE. CHARLES: OF PRINCE’S ADDICTION. HE CALLED SOMEONE IN CALIFORNIA TO BRING HIM DRUGS THAT SHOULD BE READILY AVAILABLE IN MINNEAPOLIS. HARVEY: MIKE, ARE YOU THERE? MIKE: I’M HERE. HARVEY: WHY GO 2,000 MILES TO GET AN ADDICTION SPECIALIST, I’M SURE THEY HAVE THEM IN MINNEAPOLIS. MIKE: GOOD QUESTION. MY EDUCATED GUESS IS PRINCE OR HIS FAMILY OR SOMEONE WHO KNOWS PRINCE HAS DEALT WITH THESE DOCTORS BEFORE, EITHER THE RECOVERY WITHOUT WALLS, WHICH IS THE OUTPATIENT AND INPATIENT FACILITY UP NORTH NEAR SAN FRANCISCO. CHARLES: THAT KORNFELD RUNS. MIKE: THAT KORNFELD OWNS OR POSSIBLY THIS COULD BE THE CONNECTION THAT WAS A FAMILY FRIEND. I DON’T KNOW FOR SURE, BUT IT DOES SEEM TO ME THAT IT’S FAR AWAY FROM MINNESOTA. PRINCE HAS LIVED THERE FOR MANY YEARS AND IT’S SOMEBODY, WHY CONTACT SOMEBODY UP NORTH, IF IT WERE IN L.A. — HARVEY: NOT UP NORTH. OUT WEST, WAY OUT WEST, 2,000 MILES. MIKE: IF IT WAS HIS PUBLICIST OR MANAGER OR RECORD LABEL THAT WANTED THIS, THERE ARE HUGE ADDICTION SPECIALISTS IN LOS ANGELES AREA OR EVEN NEW YORK. CHARLES: YOU DON’T WANT TO DO THAT. OBVIOUSLY, LOOK, PRINCE DID A GREAT JOB OF KEEPING THIS A SECRET FOR HIS ENTIRE LIFE. HARVEY: WHEN WE BROKE THE STORY ABOUT PRINCE AND THE PERCOCET THAT ALMOST KILLED HIM SIX DAYS BEFORE, EVERYBODY WAS LOOKING AT OUR STORY SAYING, THAT JUST CAN’T BE. HE IS A JEHOVAH’S WITNESS. HE HAS A CLEAN LIFESTYLE. THAT MAKES NO SENSE. AND WE WERE THE ONLY ONES FOR DAYS BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE SAYING THAT CAN’T BE. CHARLES: THE ONLY WAY YOU KEEP THAT SECRET IS YOU DON’T GO TO SOMEONE IN THE MINNEAPOLIS AREA. YOU’RE AFRAID THEY’LL TALK TO SOMEONE OR SOMEONE WILL SEE SOMETHING BECAUSE PEOPLE NOTICE YOU IN THE AREA. SO YOU SEND FROM SOMEONE WAY OUT OF TOWN. HARVEY: WHY DID THIS DOCTOR’S SON HAVE OPIATES IN HIS BACKPACK TO GIVE TO A DOCTOR WHEN THE DOCTOR PRESUMABLY COULD HAVE GOT THOSE OPIATES FROM A PHARMACY IN MINNEAPOLIS? I’M MAKING AN ASSUMPTION THERE, BUT IT’S A DECENT ASSUMPTION, RIGHT? CALLER: HI, I’M TRACY, MY COMMENT OR MY QUESTION IS THAT WHAT WAS THE TRUE REASON OF HAVING THE DRUG ADDICTION OR WAS HIS FAMILY THERE TO, LIKE, YOU KNOW, GET AHOLD OF HIM BEFORE IT REALLY TURNED SAD AND CRAZY AND OUT OF CONTROL? I JUST REALLY WANT TO KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS HIS TRUE ADDICTION FOR THE DRUGS? WHAT WAS ALL OF THAT ABOUT? CHARLES: WE ALWAYS HEARD THAT PART OF IT WAS THIS PAIN. IT STARTED WITH — HARVEY: IT DID START WITH THE PAIN. IT STARTED WITH THE HIP PAIN. MIKE: I’M GLAD YOU SAID THAT. I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT SOMETHING, PEOPLE HEARING THIS. THIS LAWYER SAID THIS DOCTOR WAS CONTACTED TO WEAN PRINCE OFF, TO SAVE HIS LIFE FROM THE OPIATES HE HAD OVERDOSED SIX DAYS BEFORE. WE ARE JUST TELLING YOU THE FACTS. I’M NOT ASSUMING ANYTHING HAPPENED AT THIS POINT WITH ANY OF THEM. I WILL SAY THAT WE DEALT WITH THIS WITH ANNA NICOLE SMITH, HARVEY, WHERE THE DRUG ITSELF, BUFANEFRIN, LIKE METHADONE, IS A DRUG USED TO TRY TO HELP PEOPLE GET OFF OF IT. THE REASON IT WORKS, IT DOES A SIMILAR THING TO THE BODY AND BRAIN THAT THE OPIATE DOES. A LOT OF PEOPLE ABUSE THOSE DRUGS, METHADONE, THEY ABUSE THEM. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THIS YOUNG GENTLEMAN IS NOT A DOCTOR. HE HAS LOOSE BUPANEPHRINE PILLS IN HIS BACKPACK WHEN THE COPS COME BECAUSE PRINCE IS DEAD AND THEY TOOK THOSE AS EVIDENCE. MY GUESS IS HE HAS GOT THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY BECAUSE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH HIM WALKING AROUND WITH THAT IN HIS BACKPACK. WHAT WAS HE DOING AT THE HOUSE WITH THEM? GIVE THEM TO PRINCE OR GIVE THEM TO THE DOCTOR TO GIVE THE PRINCE. HARVEY: THAT’S THE POSITION. WE SHOULD SAY, THEY ARE SAYING, THE PLAN ALL ALONG WAS TO TAKE THOSE PILLS AND GIVE IT TO A LOCAL DOCTOR WHO COULD THEN ADMINISTER IT TO PRINCE. MOVING ON.

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63 comments

Something ain't right, you don't carry pills in a backpack for nothing, and to shout out "immunity" because you dial 911, USA would never have prisons if that shout of guilt happened and could be voided because of a simple phone call, but let's not confuse hard drugs with painkillers, everyone says Prince was "clean" and that's good enough for me, as for painkillers, for the years of jumping around on stage would be true, infact, Lisa & Wendy from the Revolution have actually talked about it….!

I truly believe he had excruciating pain and an opiate dependency. And I equally believe that he was murdered. Why would Prince have counterfeit painkillers? Stashed in vitamin and aspirin bottles, where he could easily have popped the wrong pill by mistake?

What I wanna know is he was dead for hours,how did his Drs son get into Paisley? You can't just walk in and Prince was alone so how did he even get into the gate let alone the house and go find him to call 911? Answer that

IT'S NOT ADDICTION WHEN YOU ARE DEPENDENT ON THE OPIATES FOR SEVERE CHRONIC DAILY PAIN CONTROL! IT'S CALLED DEPENDENCY. YOU ARE DEPENDENT ON THE PAIN MEDS IN ORDER TO FUNCTION NORMALLY WITH PAIN EVERY DAY!!

Was Prince's hip pain gone? Did it magically disappear?? NO. So then WHY were they trying to wean him off the pain meds??? Prince was dependent on these meds – way different than addiction!! We don't say a diabetic is addicted to his insulin shots, or someone with high blood pressure is addicted to their BP meds do we?? No. They are DEPENDENT on their medication. So why are people still so uneducated to say Prince was "addicted" to the pain meds that helped/allowed him to live a somewhat normal life and reduced his pain somewhat?? And WHY were they taking these pain meds away from Prince in the first place?? Was he then just supposed to suffer afterwards and carry on about his business as usual? I think not.

Sounds like the doctor was getting supply from drug dealers off the streets. Which means the drugs most likely were stronger than they should be, because street drugs are not regulated. The real story is not about prince, the real story is about scumbag doctors that are driving the opioid crisis

This is full of bullshit he was never a drug addict prince was a VEGAN he was fit and these dumbasses (TMZ) think he was an drug addict and a backpack with drugs this is bullshit the news and tmz after the death of prince was covering up his murder the news are full of shit I hope they rotten in hell I truly believe he was murdered period he was a smart man in a spiritual way they killed him because of the unreleased music in the vault ya'll remember?? The same thing happen Micheal Jackson SONY & WARNER BROS kill music MJ once said "good Art never dies" prince never kept a secret being a drug addict I don't buy it any of you if a prince fan you KNOW he was a private person.Prince was a humble guy and having a hip problem/pain is normal because of the heels and jumping of pianos it doesn't makes sense prince would never abuse any drugs R.I.P prince you'll be missed

They weren’t pills it was suboxone I believe…It’s an opiate agonist. And it doesn’t get you high if you are on opiates. Regardless it’s a controlled substance. Prince just wanted to keep it quiet. And Prince was a Jehovah’s Witness and plagued with hip problems but their religion doesn’t allow blood transfusions in surgery. And It’s not uncommon for people who are about to quit drugs to to overdose before. One last hurrah. He overdosed though. It’s sad but true. No conspiracy. I know it’s hard to believe your heroes killed themselves on accident.

Sadly, addiction doesn't care who it destroys. Prince in the end was human being. People put him on a pedestal. He was sick and deeply ill. Prince's main mojo was to get high. No one can get an addict to be clean. He isolated to be able to use. I really hate drugs.

Just shut upTMZ! !!!!!!! TMZ once made alot of ugly joking about Prince wearing his Afro. AND even made fun of him being put in a urn. The basturds was singing Purple URN/ ….NOT Purple Rain. Can you believe it fucking purple urn. That's pretty cold hearted considering he had just died.

PRINCE WAS NOT A DRUG ADDICT. There is "no way" a man, can build a 300 Million Dollar, Music Business, and work for 40 years, and be a Drug Addict. —Prince, thought he was taking a "normal" pain pill, nothing more.— That does not make him a drug addict. The doctors, were trying to make more money out of Prince.—- Prince, had a hip problem,—- because he did the splits on stage alot, and dislocated his hip. He had a cane, because he had a problem walking. The doctors, instead of giving him and operation, and fixing the problem, just told him, he should go to re-hab (So the doctor could make some money off of Prince). Prince needed medical treatment for his hip and that is all, with normal pain meds-–. Prince's Meds were tampered with—–, and there is—– no proof AT ALL that he was an addict to anything-—-. He simply was in physical pain, and should of been treated like a normal person. PRINCE WAS THE CEO OF A 300 MILLION DOLLOR BUSINESS THAT HE BUILT ON HIS OWN – the rest, is completly ignorant. He was a Vegan, intelligent, and EXTREMELY SMART. They are just putting his name down. There is "no way" a man, could play, travel, write, and everything else, if he is a drug addict.

Ok noone here is Prince's doctor. I know for a fact that some ppl do requirement possible blood transfusion during surgery. Only the doctor can determine that based on your blood tests and medical history.

Noone here knows Prince's medical history. When I was medically evacuated from Afghanistan, I was told because I was a little Anemic at the time… they were going to have blood available in the operating room just in case it was needed. And it was needed 2 pints. Surgery was on my stomach area, usually you do need extra blood But I did. So I suspect that Prince being so petite and thin… he might have needed blood during an hip operation and didnt want to sign off on it. Who knows he might have been anemic which is not unusual for petite, thin framed, ppl with his eating habits. Or it could have been something esle. I dont look like I have any health issues but I have alot … its just inside my body. What ppl tell the world can be very different than reality.

I lied to ppl everyday that Im okay but I live with chronic pain from the military 27yrs as an MP. I only take over the counter drugs because I didnt want to get addicted. Also, the VA is doing better at not prescribing opiods as much as they used to.. and finding other solutions like acupuncture, yoga, OTC meds, injections, etc. I used to get hydrocodone alot but I rarely took them. Muscle relaxer are working okay now but I only take in extreme pain… again I know the link to addiction. Addicts are usually in denial, because the ends justify means. To stay in the military as many do, we downplay our pain or medical situation. So to keep his career and privacy, I totally understand if this was Prince's situation. The ends justified his perceived means.

Sometimes… everything is not a conspiracy… its just life and ppl being human. MJ and Prince while super great geniuses of their genre are still human with human feelings and fallacies. Just take history for example of the turbulant and surreal life of genuises and great ppl of other genres that didnt have the internet and cameras everywhere to follow their every moves… mistakes…. life events…. however it was revealed later by historians, relatives, found books… articles… personal diaries… etc. Just saying…

this is nothing new….this shady bullshit has gone on for years….the drug dealers make it their mission to have their mules make their way into celebrity functions to gain access to stars n gain their trust n in a weak moment offer them something to take the edge off….that something is highly addictive n all it takes is one vulnerable moment n that's all she wrote…..they are hooked n you became their prime source n because the drug is highly addictive…they r on the hook for life…same thing that happened with michale…..who was super slick….he got a 3rd party to pay his medical pusher $150k a mnth…..if u r paying someone/anyone $150k per mnth….u damn sure dnt want to hear…i'm sorry michael i can't prescribe that…..the deeper tomfoolary is michael had the financial means to create a hospital setting in one of the bedroom witha heart monitor and pvt dutie nurse who's sole task was to sit by his bedside n keep an eye on that heart monitor……Dr.murray was not keeping an eye on the monitor….he was on his cell n then stepped out of the room had their been a pvt duty nurse on staff he would likely be alive because she wld have taken immediate action….killed for his back catalogue?….ummm..ok…

How do you know they aren't worried about the fact that the guy screwed up and didn't get away fast enough after he either purposely or accidentally administered an overdose? As in actually killed Prince? I mean, you are saying he was there, with a backpack full of drugs, and, now he is lawyered up. Sounds guilty to me!

Discretion, Prince was hours away from getting help, unfortunately it was too late. The Doctors tried but addiction is an animal that can't be tamed. Prince had his pride and he almost made it but that unfortunately didn't happen. We all lost but Prince the most with his life. Experts in the field of addiction and high profile patient's are more at risk due to protecting their image. Very sad day for all but to speculate the Doctor was complicit is wrong, he tried to protect Prince's image as was most likely asked. May he rest in peace and let the Doctor continue to try to help those who seek it. No matter your money all addicts suffer the shame of their addictions.

The cornfield doctor took to long with the pills if they would of gotten there sooner prince would probably still be alive . When your addicted you can’t just wait you have to take something . Or you get real sick . To bad he just didn’t get methadone but I understand he wanted his business private and lord knows people got big mouths . Especially in ones own town . I get it but damn he should’ve died it’s sad . And it goes to show how really alone he was . He didn’t have anyone close to him he could count on what a shame . May he Rest In Peace.

Am I convinced Prince wasn't killed? No.. But…..some of y'alls' medical as well as anatomy and Physiology proper knowledge and training and practice…is NOT helping this! If you don't practice, then don't comment!

I always go ""riding my bicycle" after almost dying on a plane a few days later…. Why not ? Do these people think we are stupid ? He was seen riding his bike, after this so called plane incident. Bunch of BS.

TMZ Prince was murdered bottom line. Stop it with this all are involved in his death in making it seem like an overdose. He was being drugged unknowingly if anything. Illuminati assassination period!!! FOH with the bullshit!

TMZ. They lie so much about people they will use any scenario and put these people in it for money to sell their magazines and I have their little TV show ! TMZ you don’t know crap about what happened to prince

The doctor's son let himself into Paisley park. Front door unlocked and OMG! There is Prince laying there dead? Nobody escorts this guy to Prince's living quarters? Right Prince home alone with the door unlocked and this guy finds him dead? Had this doctor's son been there before odd he knew his way in and around

Did it ever occur that the medicine was planted from whom ever contacted the doctor from California? Isn't it odd that Prince's body was cremated 3 days later? The medicine that was found all around paisley park obviously were planted in different places in the home. When Prince 's body had the ortopsy the medicine was invested. Check his doctor records and you will find only vitamins. The true people that should be checked out are Tyka, her husband, Hillary and the temporary cook , they did all of this, but proving it will be hard because the 4 ransacked the home. There was a note hidden in the home that stated some things that was not true. Find that note and compare the writing to Hillary, you might be surprised. If curious check out on YouTube the mediums whom talk about Prince contacting them from the grave, and Prince insisting justice.

prince was set up.. he never did drugs..he's also a vegan…he has always took good care of himself… this drug crap..is just that..bullshit…who ever had anything to do with shit.will answer to his maker… u just wait and see….today is jan11th..2019…..

TMZ don't know what the fuck they're talkin about they can release anything they want but they do not know the history of this man! He would not let any of his band members use drugs or smoke cigarettes in every band he's had !He wouldn't even let Vanity work on Purple Rain because she was using back in the day so get the fuck out of here this man was murdered

Before u even judge when ur a LEGEND not jus famous but a fucking LEGEND such as Prince or Michael Jackson ur constantly in the public eyes u never have a private life no matter how much property u own sometimes the high is ur only private life u get when ur a legend rest in peace to the legends!